PORT TOWNSEND — Anthony “Tony” Hernandez was interviewed, appointed and sworn in as interim Jefferson County sheriff in fewer than two hours Monday.
The county commissioners chose the 39-year-old undersheriff over retired California police officer David Stanko and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Detective Joe Nole.
Learning that District Court Judge Jill Landes was between court appearances, the commissioners followed Hernandez upstairs to Landes’ courtroom, where she conducted her first swearing-in ceremony before county elected officials.
Hernandez assumes the $70,951-a-year sheriff’s post Friday after elected Sheriff Mike Brasfield leaves his Port Hadlock office to retire.
Hernandez has worked in law enforcement for 15 years, and Brasfield promoted him to undersheriff in 2007.
During his interview, Hernandez told the commissioners that he intended to run for elected sheriff if they appointed him, and county Auditor Donna Eldridge, who attended the commissioners meeting, informed Hernandez that as an announced candidate he was now required to file his candidacy papers with her office.
Stanko and Nole told the commissioners they would not run against Hernandez.
Fire investigation
Asked what he planned to do first as sheriff, Hernandez said he was still dealing with an investigation into a house fire north of Quilcene last week that claimed the lives of Pat and Janice Yarr.
“We are still trying to determine the origin and cause of the fire,” he said, adding that he also was working on Sheriff’s Office budget issues and would continue the legacy of professionalism that Brasfield was leaving behind.
Hernandez said he was “intimately familiar” with the Jefferson County sheriff’s budget and to bring someone in who was not knowledgeable about the budget and sheriff’s operations “would be a mistake.”
“I know where we are now. I know where we want to be, and I know how we can get there,” Hernandez told the commissioners during his interview.
Hernandez said is finishing work on earning a master’s certificate from Chapman University in organizational leadership and development.
While no other candidate has announced for sheriff, if three candidates announce for the position, then voters will see an Aug. 18 primary election.
Jefferson County Democrats chose Hernandez as their top choice to replace Brasfield after a round of interviews a week ago.
The Democratic Central Committee of Party Chairman Matt Sircely, Ray Hunter, Connie Gallant, David Tonkin, Gloria Bram, Bill Miller and Gene Brandon questioned the candidates March 16 on issues including increased Border Patrol activity, drug problems and fireworks.
Stanko and Nole were also listed as candidates behind Hernandez.
After Brasfield announced his retirement, Hernandez said he was interested in the job only if he would be the best choice.
Department morale
When county Commissioner John Austin asked Hernandez how he would maintain department morale, Hernandez said he would do his best to let deputies and personnel know that they are valued and appreciated.
“If we don’t do this, then we are going to lose those people who can go to other agencies for more money,” he said.
“During these tough economic times we need to be working together. During a crisis, we want to see the best in human nature, not the worst. We’ve got tough times ahead, and we need to come together.”
Hernandez served as chief criminal deputy in 2006 and as director of community policing and code enforcement coordinator in 2005 and 2006.
He served as a county deputy from 2001 to 2005.
Hernandez created the county’s Animal Service Volunteer Program about three years ago, saving a flagging county animal shelter, which he said has seen a 400 percent increase in private donations.
Before coming to Jefferson County, he served during 2000 and 2001 as a secure crisis residential counselor and detention officer for runaway youths in Kitsap County.
He was a police officer for the Department of Defense in 1999 and 2000 and a Bremerton reserve police officer from 1997 to 1999.
He was a data analyst for the U.S. Marshals Service from 1996 to 1999.
He has attended the FBI National Academy and the state Criminal Justice Academy.
Stanko has been retired from the Fullerton, Calif., Police Department since 2004, serving there since 1977.
He served as watch commander from 1998 to 2004 and was community service manager for the police chief’s offices from 1995 to 1997.
Nole has worked for the county Sheriff’s Office since 1993.
He was assigned to investigations in 1995 and has since held the detective position.
The county commissioners agreed they were fortunate to receive candidates with strong experience.
Hernandez said he would run for sheriff as many times as voters elect him.
“I appreciated the fact that Tony has said he will be in it for the long haul,” County Commissioner Phil Johnson, D-Port Townsend, said.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
